apex and active directory and pl/sql and...

I think I may go mad.

I am on a steep learning curve these days, trying to learn Oracle PL/SQL while trying to develop applications in Apex. Part of the problem is that I have bitten off a rather complicated piece to chew on, and I have not had much luck finding others who have blazed a trail before me into this territory. I apologise for the mixed metaphors.

I still intend on publishing my final working code / solution to using AD groups to manage access to an Applications Express application. It just might be posthumous...

POV-Ray goodness

I've been playing with POV-Ray a bit more, using the POV-Ray Light source object available within MLCad. For a first-run, I'm pretty impressed.

I created two light objects in front of the minifig to act as in-cabin lighting sources. I also put one light object into the storage bay area. I added lights to the red 1x1 translucent tiles on each wing tip, the red 1x1 translucent cylinders, and the green 1x1 translucent tiles attached to the directional jets. There are no other light sources used in this rendering.

Galaxy Explorer Update

The main craft is now complete. Check out the image.

lego coolness

I have long been a fan of Lego. I am also a nerd. So when I found LDraw I was ecstatic. I was practically hysterical when I found MLCad. Then, I found all sorts of instructions for Lego models that had been uploaded to the web here. At that point I burst into flames.

Since being stamped out, I have gone on to periodically build models in MLCad that a) I have and couldn't be bothered to dig out the boxes for, or b) Always wanted but never had. Right now I am building set 497-1, Galaxy Explorer, which was released in 1979. My sister got this set one Christmas, and I recently acquired it from our Dad's apartment while cleaning it out after he died.

Here is a POV-Ray jpg of my progress so far. I started this yesterday morning (I think). Once you get the hang of MLCad you can really fly building stuff. Especially models that have mirror image parts - copy & paste is your friend.